Moving from Charlotte, NC-SC to Columbia, SC
About 4,193 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020), and 3,193 go the other way. Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Columbia, SC.
Single, $70k: line by line
Single adult earning $70,000, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (1 bedroom). Taxes take 20.3% of income in Charlotte, NC-SC and 20.4% in Columbia, SC.
Charlotte, NC-SC Columbia, SC (monthly)
| Monthly | Charlotte, NC-SC | Columbia, SC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,184 | $1,188 | +$3 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $190 | $194 | +$3 |
| Take-home pay | $4,649 | $4,646 | −$3 |
| Housing | $1,640 | $1,126 | −$514 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,640 | $1,126 | −$514 |
| Food | $425 | $424 | −$1 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 96.3 | $425 | $424 | −$1 |
| Transportation | $158 | $158 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $3.96/gal (Lower Atlantic (PADD)) | $158 | $158 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $23 | $29 | +$6 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 6% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $23 | $29 | +$6 |
| Other goods & services | $974 | $973 | −$1 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 96.3 | $483 | $482 | −$1 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 98.3 | $491 | $491 | $0 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $1,429 | $1,935 | +$506 |
Family of four, $120k: line by line
Two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child, $120,000 combined, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms), center-based childcare in current dollars. Taxes take 15.5% of income in Charlotte, NC-SC and 15.5% in Columbia, SC.
Charlotte, NC-SC Columbia, SC (monthly)
| Monthly | Charlotte, NC-SC | Columbia, SC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,549 | $1,549 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law · after $4,400 Child Tax Credit | $470 | $470 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $765 | $765 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $314 | $314 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $8,451 | $8,451 | $0 |
| Housing | $1,785 | $1,226 | −$559 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,785 | $1,226 | −$559 |
| Childcare | $1,383 | $1,711 | +$328 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $184/wk, school-age $139/wk (2022 prices, Richland County, SC); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08 | $1,383 | $1,711 | +$328 |
| Food | $1,239 | $1,236 | −$3 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 96.3 | $1,239 | $1,236 | −$3 |
| Transportation | $317 | $317 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $3.96/gal (Lower Atlantic (PADD)) | $317 | $317 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $23 | $29 | +$6 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 6% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $23 | $29 | +$6 |
| Other goods & services | $974 | $973 | −$1 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 96.3 | $483 | $482 | −$1 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 98.3 | $491 | $491 | $0 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $2,730 | $2,960 | +$229 |
Charlotte, NC-SC vs Columbia, SC at a glance
| Measure | Charlotte, NC-SC | Columbia, SC |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 97.3 | 93.7 |
| Housing price level | 97.6 | 79.5 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,640 | $1,126 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,785 | $1,226 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,179 | $1,546 |
| Median home value | $356,400 | $232,400 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 0.65% | 0.56% |
| Median household income | $83,304 | $68,359 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $284 | $202 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | None in our data | None in our data |
| State sales tax | 4.75% | 6% |
| Regular gasoline | $3.96 | $3.96 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $146 | $161 |
Sources: BEA RPP 2024; HUD FMR FY2027; Census ACS 2020-2024; DOL NDCP 2022; 2026 tax law; state revenue departments; EIA (electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05).
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to make in Columbia, SC to keep my Charlotte, NC-SC lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in Charlotte, NC-SC, about $61,282 in Columbia, SC (−12.5%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $116,266. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Columbia, SC cheaper than Charlotte, NC-SC?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Columbia, SC is at 93.7 and Charlotte, NC-SC at 97.3 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have +$506 a month in Columbia, SC.
How many people move from Charlotte, NC-SC to Columbia, SC?+
About 4,193 people a year (±1,276), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020); about 3,193 move the other way.
What isn’t included?+
Moving costs, health insurance, car payments and insurance, local sales tax add-ons and differences in wages between the two metros. Add known monthly costs in the calculator’s “Fixed costs / month” field.